Forget how much that doggie in the window costs — Phoenix leaders who voted to create a new law regulating pet stores on Wednesday just want to make sure it’s a rescue.

Decrying the abusive practices of some large-scale animal breeders known as puppy mills and the Valley’s pet overpopulation, the City Council approved an ordinance that bans pet stores from selling dogs or cats unless the animals come from the pound or a non-profit shelter or rescue group.

But the ordinance drew spirited opposition from pet-store employees and a few council members, who said the ordinance will force reputable businesses to close their doors. They said the law is too broad, preventing pet stores from buying from breeders regardless of whether their operations are unsanitary or cruel.

However, the ordinance includes an exemption for small “backyard” breeders and others who raise dogs or cats at their home or business and sell them, excluding pet shops.

The council also banned the use of animals as prizes, prohibiting carnivals or amusement parks from giving out goldfish, insects, bunnies and other creatures. Supporters said people don’t treat these “prizes” well. Meanwhile, critics called the prohibition on goldfish ridiculous.

Phoenix can charge violators of both ordinances, which take effect in 30 days, with a misdemeanor, and they could face up to six months in jail and a $2,500 fine. The city will require pet stores to keep records for up to a year showing the source of all dogs and cats.

Much of the debate focused on the impact to pet stores that buy and sell animals raised by breeders. Ultimately, the council voted 5-3 to approve the ordinances, drawing applause from some animal-rights groups in the audience.

Organizations such as the Humane Society of the United States contend that the vast majority of pets in stores come from puppy and kitten mills, where the animals are kept in crowded, filthy cages.

Many don’t have adequate access to veterinary care, food or water.

Many large puppy mills are in the rural Midwest and South, but council members Tom Simplot and Thelda Williams, who proposed the changes, said the city can deter bad breeders and encourage the adoption of shelter animals by fighting the practice at the point of sale.

Vice Mayor Bill Gates and Councilmen Jim Waring and Sal DiCiccio attempted to table the ordinance, saying it had not been fully vetted and would force at least one business, Puppies ‘N Love at Paradise Valley Mall, to close. They said that although the city should fight cruel breeding, the regulations will have unintended consequences.

“We do everything in our power to screen breeders, make sure they’re from reputable sources,” said Frank Mineo, owner of Puppies ‘N Love, adding that animal activists have unfairly asserted that all pet stores get their dogs from puppy mills.

Gates asked a city prosecutor two questions: Would a pet-store owner who sells a dog from a high-quality breeder be guilty of a misdemeanor? Would someone who gives away a goldfish at a carnival also be guilty?

The prosecutor said the city could, under the ordinance, charge the person with a crime for doing those things, prompting chuckles from the crowd.

“I’m sorry, Mayor, but this is now part of a systematic approach that we’ve seen where behavior by businesses is being criminalized,” an exasperated Gates said. “Let’s come together and figure out how to address puppy mills. This is unbelievable.”

Mayor Greg Stanton and council members Simplot, Williams, Daniel Valenzuela and Michael Nowakowski supported the new rules. Councilman Michael Johnson was absent.

Supporters said many pet stores, including PetSmart and Petco, have already made the transition to selling only “humanely sourced” dogs and cats from local shelters.

Simplot said that given lax federal regulations, it’s difficult to know which breeders run puppy mills. About 40 cities, including Los Angeles, San Diego, El Paso and Austin, have passed similar laws.

“Somehow, we have flipped the issue and made the brokers and dealers and pet stores the victims here,” Simplot said, “when the real victims are the animals who are cruelly treated to produce these puppies that are for sale.”

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